West Nile researcher suggests precautions
When UC Davis confirmed on Sept. 15 that a dead crow in Los Angeles County carried West Nile virus, it was the first evidence of West Nile activity in birds in California. Shortly thereafter, UC Davis confirmed six more infected crows in Los Angeles County and an infected sparrow in Riverside County.
UC Davis, which has the largest West Nile testing and research program in California, also collected and identified the first West-Nile-carrying mosquito in the state — trapped in early August in Imperial County, near the Salton Sea.
In the continental United States, only three states have not recorded West Nile infections in any animal — Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
The arrival of somewhat cooler weather does not mean that West Nile risk has declined, said John Edman, director of the UC Davis Center for Vectorborne Disease.
He said people should continue to wear long sleeves, long pants and mosquito repellent when outdoors between dusk and dawn, and eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes by emptying standing water and cleaning out rain gutters.
Series bounces back
Staff Development & Professional Services’ Health Awareness program — a free noontime brownbag series — starts up for fall Thursday with “Bounce Your Body Beautiful,” highlighting exercises using a ball that can easily be worked into a daily schedule. Nutrition lecturer Liz Applegate will teach the class, which is based on her recently published book by the same name.
Other brownbag events set for this quarter include: “Happy Feet,” on Oct. 30, taught by local podiatrist Scarlett Kroenke; “Laugh Your Way to Better Health,” on Nov. 13, taught by Joshua Sickel, a doctor and stand-up comedian; and “Get to the Point with Reflexology,” on Dec. 4, taught by Tina Ginetti of the Healing Garden in Woodland.
For more details, see http://sdps.ucdavis.edu/browse/wl.htm.
Mail division moves
Over the weekend the Mail Division will be moving to its new Central Storehouse location at the corner of California Avenue and La Rue Road.
The move follows the recently approved merger of Materiel Management and Mail Division. No disruption of mail processing or delivery services is expected, said director of Materiel Management Steven Frost, announcing the move.
The move will site all of the campus shipping operations — US Mail, FedEx, UPS and common carriers — as well as Mail and Central Receiving delivery into one location.
“This will eliminate duplication of efforts, improve operating efficiencies, and enhance service to our customers,” Frost said.
As of Monday, mail and packages can be brought to the new location at Central Storehouse during regular business hours. After hours drop-off service at the present Mail Division building will continue until a drop box is available at the new location.
Weekend closures set
Parking and Transportation Services is asking employees to avoid parking in the parking structure next to the UCDMC hospital on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 18, to accommodate cleaning of the structure.
Several floors of the structure will be closed on each of those days. Parking for staff is available on the weekends in Lot 4, Lot 17 and Lot 18. Shuttle service from those lots to the main hospital will be available starting at 6 a.m.